—What is the derivation of this word? and if from the Greek, how is it that it prevails only in the Teutonic countries (England, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and Germany), while the Latin Ecclesia prevails in the rest of Europe?
GEORGE STEPHENS.
Copenhagen.
Minor Queries Answered.
Hieroglyphics of Vagrants and Criminals.
—In one of the recent deeply interesting Sanitary Reports of Mr. Rawlinson to the General Board of Health—reports which frequently contain scraps of antiquarian, among a mass of more directly utilitarian information—there is passage which opens up a curious subject, upon which, possibly, some of your readers may be able to furnish illustrations from their literary stores. I allude to that portion of his Report on the Parish of Havant (Southamptonshire), in which he states:—
"There is a sort of blackguard's literature, and the initiated understand each other by slang terms, by pantomimic signs, and by hieroglyphics. The vagrant's mark may be seen in Havant, on corners of streets, on door-posts, and on house-steps. Simple as these chalk lines appear, they inform the succeeding vagrants of all they require to know; and a few white scratches may say 'be importunate,' or 'pass on.' The murderer's signal is even exhibited from the gallows; as, a red handkerchief held in the hand of the felon about to be executed, is a token that he dies without having betrayed any professional secrets."
This is a curious subject; and I think it would prove interesting to many readers, if any illustration could be afforded of the above strange and somewhat startling statements.
J. J. S.
[Beloe, in his Anecdotes of Literature, vol. ii. pp. 146-157., has left us some curious notices of this kind of vulgar literature, of English pure and undefiled from the "knowledge box" of Thomas Decker. But the most complete Lexicon Balatronicum et Macaronicum was published in 1754, enriched with many "a word not in Johnson," and which leaves at a respectful distance the glossorial labours of Spelman, Ducange, Junius, and even the renowned Francis Grose and his Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. It is entitled The Scoundrel's Dictionary; or, an Explanation of the Cant Words used by Thieves, Housebreakers, Street Robbers, and Pickpockets. To which are prefixed some Curious Dissertations on the Art of Wheedling; and a Collection of Flash Songs, with a proper Glossary, 8vo., London, 1754.]